Private School Cost: Columbia vs Providence
Columbia averages $13,800/year less for private school (168% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $179,400 per child.
Bottom Line
Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.
Columbia
SC
$8,200
avg tuition/year
Providence
RI
$22,000
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Columbia | Providence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $8,200/yr | $22,000/yr | -$13,800 |
| Religious Schools | $6,000/yr | $12,400/yr | -$6,400 |
| Independent/Prep | $17,000/yr | $36,000/yr | -$19,000 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $7,000/yr | $18,000/yr | -$11,000 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $8,200/yr | $22,000/yr | -$13,800 |
| High School (9-12) | $9,800/yr | $27,500/yr | -$17,700 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Columbia
$106,600
Providence
$286,000
Choosing Columbia saves $179,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $358,800.
Sample Schools
Columbia
Hammond School (Columbia SC)
Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr
Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)
Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr
Providence
Moses Brown School
Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $40,800-$43,200/yr
Wheeler School
Independent · PK–12 · $38,200-$40,800/yr
Providence Country Day School
Independent · 6–12 · $34,800/yr
La Salle Academy (Providence)
Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr
About This Comparison
This comparison uses NCES Private School Universe Survey data, adjusted for metro-level cost-of-living differences. "Average tuition" blends religious schools (Catholic, Christian) and independent day/prep schools. Religious schools typically cost 60-70% less than independent schools in the same city.
Grade-level estimates (elementary, middle, high) are derived from the city average using national grade-level multipliers. High school tuition typically runs 15-25% above the city average; elementary runs 10-20% below.